Sno-Fall in Amsterdam

By: Matt | August 21st, 2008

Simply awful headline, I know. It will never happen again. After being linked to several holding midfielders, Lucas Biglia of Anderlecht being the most notable, Marco went with the devil that you know (and who comes at a considerably lower price). The odyssey of Evander Sno has thus come full circle, for now.

An Ajax youth academy player, Sno left Amsterdam at eighteen to join Feyenoord. For this significant mistake, the Footballing Fates doomed him to a listless and matchless few years at F*word. He made no club appearances and was Loaned to NAC Breda. From there, it was on to Celtic, where he continued to serve out his punishment for neglecting the club of his youth. A few appearances spread over two seasons showed some flashes of brilliance, or at least usefulness, but Celtic was never quite convinced. Sno was more succesful for the mini-Oranje, not counting that red card he earned a few days ago against Nigeria. Seeing that card awarded in a terribly important match convinced MvB that Sno had finally done his penance and deserved to come home. Now he has to deal with all those suitors, win back Penelope, etc etc etc.

No, seriously. I am glad Sno is back. He is a talented player who should have had loads more pitch time over the last few years. He has shown potential on the U-21 pitch, but he has never been a regular or even a regular sub. Sno is perhaps the poster child of so much of what ails Ajax in particular and Dutch football in general. Had Sno stayed in Amsterdam (and Ten Cate not been a moron, I digress) he could have been brought along in accordance to his progression as a player. He could have been introduced to the side gradually, learning alongside Edgar Davids for two years (Sno reminds me alot of Davids, and not just his hair and stature). At 21 we would have a very good idea of Sno’s ability and where he might end up. Instead, we get a 21 year old who has been basically idle for his best formative years. Kids like Nacer Barazite and Jourdy Brouwer are likely set for the same treatment. They may be great players, but we will never know if they only get reserve matches for the next three years. Nor will their managers, who will hit the transfer market before putting their own carrer in jeopardy by placing trust in their youth. Sno deserved better.